Wellness has never felt more vital.
As we move into a new year, many of us are looking to the
latest and greatest health trends to continue nourishing both our body and mind.
From the ongoing reward of a good old-fashioned walk through to the best new ingestible supplements, here are the trends we’re expecting to see grace our Instagram feeds in 2022.
1. Low-alc Beverages
Goodbye hang-xiety and throbbing heads, hello dry 2022.
That’s right, mocktails are in with the emergence of so many low and no alc beverages. Heavy drinking is linked to higher levels of anxiety and depression, as well as disrupted sleep, and can be extremely damaging to your overall health if not managed. The ‘buzz-free’ beverage market is quickly growing and you can find a zero-alcohol version of nearly all your favourite tasty tipples.
2. Plant-based diets
Whenever you fall on the spectrum of food preferences, there’s probably a new term to label it so.
‘Flexitarian’ (in layman's terms, a flexible vegetarian) and ‘Climatarian’ (eating with a lens on
sustainability and environmental impact), are two new trends that strongly favour plant-based eating.
Not only are there a bevy of health benefits associated with adding more green to your weekly grocery
shop, including low blood pressure and greater gut health, the choices you make also play a direct part
in easing the pressure of our planet. It’s become increasingly easy to find natural alternatives for your meaty favourites, which is why we don’t see this trend slowing down any time soon.
3. Avocados
After the avo toast epidemic of 2016, you may be thinking that this fleshy fruit is old news, but our
favourite healthy fats are here to stay given a multitude of benefits continue to be uncovered.
Good for the heart, gut, and skin, avos are filled with monounsaturated fats and nutrients that release hormones in the intestine to signal fullness and keep us satisfied between meals. They are also packed with fibre, ensuring digestive health and low cholesterol.
And when they work perfectly on toast, on pizza, and in salads and smoothies, why wouldn’t you want to be adding it to every meal?
4. Flexercise
If you found yourself cancelling your gym membership post-lockdown, know you’re not alone.
Being stuck inside without your usual weights routine or go-to yogi instructor, meant we had to find new and interesting ways to move our bodies and get our sweat on. Whether it be a walk around the block or
YouTube pilates session with those new bala bands of yours, lockdown did actually force us to get more flexible with our exercise routine and this spontaneity is set to stay.
5. Self-Care
The past 12-18 months has brought a lot of stress and anxiety to the forefront, many people have never
experienced such emotions to this degree before, so rumour has it these conversations will become
even more accepted in the new year. Taking a few moments per day to write in a journal, do some
meditative breath work, or set aside some time for a phone call with a loved one, can really do wonders
for the mind.
Make sure you’re keeping an eye on what you put into your body too, as this directly affects your mental health. As the saying goes, you really are what you eat! During busy periods, coming up with a healthy dinner can be the last thing on your mind, so for that helping hand why not turn to meal delivery services like MACROS, for added convenience. Fresh, delicious, dietitian-approved meals dropped straight to your door, your mind and body (and busy schedule) will thank you for.
Our focus has become a little more selfish (in a good way!), so in 2022, let’s keep checking in, assessing
our health, and finding the time to do things that make us feel good.
Gabby Ward is an accredited practising dietitian in the Sunshine Coast and Brisbane area, working with people both face to face and internationally online. Working as a food specialist with MACROS, Gabby has a passion for simplifying nutrition to support both performance, nourishment and enjoyment, to have a positive relationship with food and feel your best.
MACROS ready-made meals make healthy eating easy and delicious for every Aussie. Nutritionally-balanced and portion-controlled, MACROS meals are dairy-free and cater to a range of dietary requirements whilst also offering high-protein, low-cal, and low-carb options.
Whether you’re looking to sort healthy work lunches, are too busy to cook in the evening, or are looking to support your fitness goals, MACROS has a plan for you with meals that start at $8.70 each.
